True to their commitment and abiding by the city’s slogan ("Our city, our shared responsibility"), the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dagupan Philippines Stake (diocese) had a different kind of beach walk when they conducted a coastal clean-up activity along the shoreline of Tondaligan Beach, Bonuan, Dagupan City.
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Bro. Vendio D. Ventenilla, a member of the Bishopric of the Dagupan Second Ward said, "The Church will always support government programs that promote preservation and protection of our environment, a precious gift from God." He further stressed, "The stake has been doing various kinds of environmental projects for years. We have been involved in tree planting activities along the Bonuan Binloc National Road and in the Pantal-Lucao River bank near to the De Venecia Extension Highway."
Headed by their respective priesthood leaders and armed with surgical gloves, pick-up sticks, black trash bags and wearing their yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests, members of Dagupan Philippines Stake walked together and combed the coastal area of Tondaligan Beach for all trash and litter.
Items most often found were candy wrappers, cigarette butts, plastic cups, papers, and the like; things which which make this beautiful tourist destination unpleasant to the eyes. The Church members started the cleaning activity at 4:00 p.m. where the Japanese Garden is located and walked to the Vocational Rehabilitation Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A beach area of three kilometers was walked, cleaned, and beautified.
The Mormon Helping Hands program brings together members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their neighbors to provide community service. These volunteers in their trademark yellow vests help people whose lives have been affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. Mormon Helping Hands volunteers also partner with government and nonprofit organizations to support and improve the communities where they live.
The Helping Hands program reflects the desire of Mormons to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others. The effort receives resources from Church humanitarian services, and the projects are coordinated by local Church leaders.
The Church members, often referred to as Mormons, ended the activity with a group photo. One member was heard to exclaim, “Ready to serve, ready to save-- our city, our shared responsibility!"
